title: Morphological characterization of systemic changes in KK-Ay mice as an animal model of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  KK-Ay mice, a relevant model of human type 2 diabetes mellitus, are used worldwide for the assessment of pharmacological effects of new anti-diabetes drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  KK-Ay mice were examined at five weeks of age (non-hyperglycemic condition) and at 10 and 14 weeks of age (hyperglycemic condition).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Islet cell hypertrophy was observed in 10- and 14-week-old mice. The area ratio of islet cells to total pancreas significantly increased compared to that of age-matched C57BL/6J mice. Plasma insulin concentration increased in 14-week-old KK-Ay mice. Enlargement of mesangial matrix and increased glomerular area were seen in kidneys of KK-Ay mice. Fatty changes were observed in the liver. Total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased compared to that of five-week-old KK-Ay mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results on young/adult KK-Ay mice indicate that the hyperglycemic state developing at the early stage of diabetes mellitus is due to related changes in systemic organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moroki
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshizawa
authors.forename: Airo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsubura
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin
keywords: Diabetes; KK-Ay mice; animal model; kidney; liver; pancreas